Boolean logic function block

• US 7,096,078 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Burr, Kent A., Law, Gary K., Krivoshein, Kenneth D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/448,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 700 24- 37, 700 2- 19, 700/79, 700 83- 87, 702/122, 702/182, 702/186, 715/763, 715/853, 715/965, 715/967, 715/146
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13131 Select out several languages: FBD, SFC, RLL or RLD
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/13146 Process image blocks have a relation to software function blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming

Abstract

A technique for configuring a Boolean logic function block displays a matrix associated with the Boolean logic function block on a display screen of a computer. A programmer may then enter configuration data into the matrix to configure the Boolean logic function block. The matrix may include a plurality of cells, some of which correspond to variables to be used in generating a function block output, and the programmer may enter configuration data into the cells. The configuration data entered into cells are indicative of logic functions to which the variables corresponding to the cells are to be provided as inputs.

Claims

1. A method for configuring, via a computer having a display device and an input device, a function block associated with a process plant, the method comprising:

displaying on the display device a matrix associated with a function block output of a function block, the matrix to configure the function block output, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of cells, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells corresponds to (1) a variable of a plurality of variables associated with an input of a Boolean logic operation and (2) a further variable associated with an output of a Boolean logic operation; and

receiving configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of cells via the input device, wherein the configuration data includes data indicative of one of a plurality of Boolean logic functions to which the variable corresponding to a cell is an input, the combination of the configuration data entered into the plurality of cells defining the Boolean logic operation with respect to the manner in which the plurality of variables are combined to produce the further variable.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of logic functions includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the configuration data further includes data indicative of whether the variable corresponding to a cell is to be an inverted input to the one logic function of the plurality of logic functions.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the data indicative of one of the plurality of logic functions comprises the data indicative of whether the corresponding variable is to be an inverted input to the one logic function of the plurality of logic functions.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of variables includes a plurality of function block inputs.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of variables includes a plurality of function block outputs.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells includes a group of cells, wherein if configuration data entered into at least some of the group of cells is indicative of variables provided to a group of logic functions, outputs of the group of logic functions are to be provided as inputs to a further logic function.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the further logic function includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising receiving further configuration data via the input device, the further configuration data indicative of the further logic function.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of variables includes a plurality of intermediate results.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells comprises a first plurality of cells and a second plurality of cells, wherein the first plurality of cells is to configure the plurality of intermediate results, and wherein the second plurality of cells is to configure the function block output based on the plurality of intermediate results;

wherein the plurality of logic functions comprises a first plurality of logic functions and a second plurality of logic functions;

wherein the configuration data entered into cells in the first plurality of cells includes data indicative of one of the first plurality of logic functions; and

wherein the configuration data entered into cells in the second plurality of cells includes data indicative of one of the second plurality of logic functions.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the second plurality of logic functions comprises the first plurality of logic functions.

13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein the second plurality of logic functions is the same as the first plurality of logic functions.

14. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the first plurality of cells is to configure the plurality of intermediate results based at least in part on a plurality of function block inputs.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the first plurality of cells is to configure the plurality of intermediate results further based on a plurality of other function block outputs.

16. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the first plurality of cells is to configure the plurality of intermediate results further based on the function block output.

17. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying on the display device a user interface mechanism for entering further configuration data;

receiving the further configuration data entered via the user interface mechanism.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the further configuration data comprises data indicative of how the function block is to regard a function block input having a BAD status.

19. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the further configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is to be latched.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the configuration data includes data indicative of a function for determining when to clear the function block output.

21. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the further configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is to be delayed.

22. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the further configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is to change state based on a count.

23. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising creating the function block according to the configuration data.

24. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising configuring the function block according to the configuration data.

25. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising storing the configuration data on a computer readable medium.

26. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising storing the configuration data in a memory.

27. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising transmitting the configuration data via a network associated with the process plant.

28. A method for configuring, via a computer having a display device and an input device, a function block associated with a process plant, the method comprising:

displaying on the display device a first matrix associated with a function block output of a function block, wherein the first matrix is to configure a plurality of intermediate results, wherein the first matrix comprises a plurality of first cells, wherein each first cell of the plurality of first cells corresponds to a variable of a plurality of variables;

receiving first configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of first cells via the input device, wherein the first configuration data includes data indicative of one of a first plurality of logic functions to which a variable corresponding to a first cell is an input;

displaying on the display device a second matrix associated with the function block output, wherein the second matrix is to configure the function block output based on the plurality of intermediate results, wherein the second matrix comprises a plurality of second cells, wherein each second cell of the plurality of second cells corresponds to one intermediate result of the plurality of intermediate results; and

receiving second configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of second cells via the input device, wherein the second configuration data includes data indicative of one of a second plurality of logic functions to which an intermediate result corresponding to a second cell is an input.

29. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the first matrix and the second matrix are the same matrix.

30. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the first plurality of logic functions includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

31. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the second plurality of logic functions includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

32. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the first configuration data further includes data indicative of whether a variable corresponding to a cell is to be an inverted input to the one logic function of the first plurality of logic functions.

33. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the second configuration data further includes data indicative of whether an intermediate result corresponding to a cell is to be an inverted input to the one logic function of the second plurality of logic functions.

34. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the plurality of variables includes a plurality of function block inputs.

35. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the plurality of variables includes a plurality of function block outputs.

36. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the plurality of first cells includes a group of first cells corresponding to one intermediate result of the plurality of intermediate results, wherein if first configuration data entered into at least some of the group of first cells is indicative of variables provided to a first group of logic functions, outputs of the first group of logic functions are to be provided as inputs to a further logic function.

37. A method as defined in claim 36, wherein the further logic function includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

38. A method as defined in claim 37, further comprising receiving further first configuration data via the input device, the further configuration data indicative of the further logic function.

39. A method as defined in claim 28, wherein if second configuration data entered into at least some of the second cells is indicative of variables provided to a group of logic functions, outputs of the group of logic functions are to be provided as inputs to a further logic function.

40. A method as defined in claim 39, wherein the further logic function includes at least one of an AND function, a NAND function, an OR function, a NOR function and an XOR function.

41. A method as defined in claim 40, further comprising receiving further first configuration data via the input device, the further configuration data indicative of the further logic function.

42. A method as defined in claim 28, further comprising:

displaying on the display device a user interface mechanism for entering third configuration data; and

receiving the third configuration data via the user interface mechanism.

43. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the third configuration data comprises data indicative of how the function block is to regard a function block input having a BAD status.

44. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the third configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is latched.

45. A method as defined in claim 44, wherein the second configuration data includes data indicative of a function for determining when to clear the function block output.

46. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the third configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is delayed.

47. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein the third configuration data comprises data indicative of whether the function block output is to change state based on a count.

48. A method as defined in claim 28, further comprising configuring the function block according to the first configuration data and the second configuration data.

49. A method as defined in claim 28, further comprising storing the first configuration data and the second configuration data to a computer readable medium.

50. A method as defined in claim 28, further comprising transmitting the first configuration data and the second configuration data via a network associated with the process plant.

51. A method for facilitating debugging of a function block via a computer having a display device, the function block associated with a process plant, the method comprising:

displaying on the display device a matrix associated with a function block output of the function block, wherein the function block output is based on a logic function of a plurality of intermediate results, wherein the plurality of intermediate results are based on a plurality of variables, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of first configuration cells, wherein the first configuration cells include first configuration data indicative of the logic function, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of intermediate result display cells corresponding to the plurality of intermediate results;

determining the plurality of intermediate results based on a plurality of values corresponding to the plurality of variables; and

displaying the intermediate results in the plurality of intermediate result display cells.

52. A method as defined in claim 51, further comprising receiving the plurality of values corresponding to the plurality of variables.

53. A method as defined in claim 51, wherein the matrix includes a function block output display cell, the method further comprising:

determining the function block output based on the plurality of intermediate results; and

displaying the function block output in the function block output display cell.

54. A method as defined in claim 51, wherein the plurality of intermediate results are based on a plurality of corresponding other logic functions, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of second configuration cells, wherein the second configuration cells include second configuration data indicative of the plurality of corresponding other logic functions.

55. A tangible medium storing machine readable instructions comprising:

first code for displaying on a display device a matrix associated with a function block output of a function block, the matrix to configure the function block output, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of cells, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells corresponds (1) a variable of a plurality of variables associated with an input of a Boolean logic operation and (2) a further variable associated with an output of a Boolean logic operation; and

second code for receiving configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of cells via an input device, wherein the configuration data includes data indicative of one of a plurality of Boolean logic functions to which the variable corresponding to a cell is an input, the combination of the configuration data entered into the plurality of cells defining the Boolean logic operation with respect to the manner in which the plurality of variables are combined to produce the further variable.

56. A tangible medium as defined in claim 55, further comprising third code for creating the function block according to the configuration data.

57. A tangible medium as defined in claim 55, further comprising third code for configuring the function block according to the configuration data.

58. A tangible medium as defined in claim 55, further comprising third code for storing the configuration data on a computer readable medium.

59. A tangible medium as defined in claim 55, further comprising third code for storing the configuration data in a memory.

60. A tangible medium as defined in claim 55, further comprising third code for transmitting the configuration data via a network associated with the process plant.

61. A tangible medium storing machine readable instructions comprising:

first code for displaying on a display device a first matrix associated with a function block output of a function block, wherein the first matrix is to configure a plurality of intermediate results, wherein the first matrix comprises a plurality of first cells, wherein each first cell of the plurality of first cells corresponds to a variable of a plurality of variables;

second code for receiving first configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of first cells via an input device, wherein the first configuration data includes data indicative of one of a first plurality of logic functions to which a variable corresponding to a first cell is an input;

third code for displaying on the display device a second matrix associated with the function block output, wherein the second matrix is to configure the function block output based on the plurality of intermediate results, wherein the second matrix comprises a plurality of second cells, wherein each second cell of the plurality of second cells corresponds to one intermediate result of the plurality of intermediate results; and

fourth code for receiving second configuration data entered into at least some of the plurality of second cells via the input device, wherein the second configuration data includes data indicative of one of a second plurality of logic functions to which an intermediate result corresponding to a second cell is an input.

62. A tangible medium as defined in claim 61, further comprising fifth code for creating the function block according to the configuration data.

63. A tangible medium as defined in claim 61, further comprising fifth code for configuring the function block according to the configuration data.

64. A tangible medium as defined in claim 61, further comprising fifth code for storing the configuration data on a computer readable medium.

65. A tangible medium as defined in claim 61, further comprising fifth code for storing the configuration data in a memory.

66. A tangible medium as defined in claim 61, further comprising fifth code for transmitting the configuration data via a network associated with the process plant.

67. A tangible medium storing machine readable instructions comprising:

first code for displaying on a display device a matrix associated with a function block output of the function block, wherein the function block output is based on a logic function of a plurality of intermediate results, wherein the plurality of intermediate results are based on a plurality of variables, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of first configuration cells, wherein the first configuration cells include first configuration data indicative of the logic function, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of intermediate result display cells corresponding to the plurality of intermediate results;

second code for determining the plurality of intermediate results based on a plurality of values corresponding to the plurality of variables; and

third code for displaying the intermediate results in the plurality of intermediate result display cells.